I couldn't find the article in English but apparently Airbus is in town discussing A330 sales with officials from ET according to the local news paper The Reporter. I don't think ET needs the A330 when there is a more modern Boeing 787 and the A350 in the pipe line for them. Wouldn't it be smart to lease more 777L if they need one for Toronto, Brazil or China's planned expansion until the 787 and the A350 on order arrives? Your thoughts?

The A330 seems like a bit strange of an order. Their 767s are relatively young with most delivered in 2000 and on (with 3 exceptions) so they can fly until they get replaced by 787s and A350s. They also have brand new 777s, and are due to receive 787s shortly and have the A350 in the long term.

An A330 might make sense leased, but a fleet of 787s, 777s, A330s and A350s in the long term seems a bit disjointed for such a small airline.

Perhaps only as a short term gap filler until they get their 787s (starting in end of summer now). Airbus will have to put in an offer ET cannot refuse, else it is unlikely to work out.

I don't think there are too many 77L available out there (apart from the well publicized AI ones which looks like AC will snap); young 763ERs w/ PW engines are also rather rare; 752s, not much better AFAIK, so not too many options on the table for ET.

In fact, ET will most likely have to place additional orders NOW directly or via leasing companies as it is running out of capacity and slots on the good planes come at a premium.

Quoting yellowtail (Reply 6):maybe its cancel the 350s for a few more 330s now. then get the 77X and 78-10 down the road.

You are right, that is one option but probably not what Airbus has in mind

ET needs more capacity in the short and long term, if I know that, I am sure Airbus does as well. Probably incumbent upon them to expand their footprint, be it with immediate A330 + more orders for A350 + other optons?

Quoting ETinCaribe (Reply 7):ET needs more capacity in the short and long term, if I know that, I am sure Airbus does as well. Probably incumbent upon them to expand their footprint, be it with immediate A330 + more orders for A350 + other optons?

The same news paper declared Airbus as the new Ethiopian's aircraft supplier. According to the article ET wants another eight 787-8s but those won't be available anytime soon so evaluating the A330. This time the article is in English.

Quoting columba (Reply 9):The A330 is and still will be a very good performer on medium and shorter long haul routes, so having an aircraft for these routes is still a good option for many airlines.

It is a good airplane but does not make sense to me with 787 s and a350s on order. The 767s make sense to ne for medium haul until new planes come. I just can't understand such a diverse fleet for a small airline. If they need more lift now then short term leases make sense. New build a330s would still be 2-3 years and they will have 787s by then. The a330 is a great plane but seems like an odd decision.

They have 11x 763ER today which will be 1:1 replaced by 788s and we are not even counting the 7x 752s. How and when will these be replaced? Will most likely be via leasing I presume.

I don't fully get it to be honest, perhaps I am harsh on ET b/c of my own lack of understanding of their strategy. Maybe it is a financing limitation? Or they already have their plans and are in negotiations but it is currently held in private?

KQ is also in a similar situation - need 50+ planes in the next decade but none are ordered yet.

Perhaps some of you on this thread can enlighten me...

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